2026 NFL schedule release: Top NFL games and teams by early ticket demand

The 2026 NFL schedule dropped Thursday night, and fans wasted no time circling dates and buying the hottest games on the calendar. 

In the first wave of NFL ticket sales on SeatGeek, a few themes are already jumping off the page since yesterday. But the biggest story? The Bills’ home opener at the new Highmark Stadium has emerged as the early leader for the most in-demand game of the season. 

So let’s take a look at the teams and matchups NFL fans couldn’t wait to grab tickets for once the schedule dropped.

Top-selling NFL games since the schedule release

The 2026 NFL schedule is loaded with incredible prime-time matchups, so it is fitting that four of the five top-selling games on SeatGeek since the schedule dropped are night games.

Lions at Bills to kick off Week 2 on Thursday night leads the pack. Bills fans are clearly rushing to be part of history as the new Highmark Stadium makes its debut. It’s the only new NFL stadium opening in 2026, and it’s obviously a big draw to an already dedicated fanbase. 

The Bears and Packers delivered three heart-pounding matchups last season, including Chicago rallying from a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit in the NFC Wild Card Round to eliminate Green Bay. Their Oct. 11 matchup in Week 5 is the only non-prime-time showdown on this list, with kickoff at Lambeau Field slated for 4:25 PM ET. These two NFC North rivals also square off in Chicago on Christmas Day.

The Cowboys are always a major draw when they roll into town, and a pair of Dallas prime-time matchups occupy the third and fourth spots. Cowboys at Packers on Sunday night in Week 6 and Cowboys at Seahawks on Monday night to conclude Week 13 both have drawn strong early interest. Both the Packers and Seahawks have an NFL-high five prime-time home games this season, with the Cowboys clash being the top seller so far for each squad.

In fifth place is the first NFL game of the season, with the Seattle Seahawks hosting the New England Patriots in a Super Bowl rematch on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Coming off the franchise’s second Super Bowl victory, there is certainly strong buzz about getting to celebrate the team when they kick off their campaign. 

Top-selling NFL teams since the schedule release

The Packers and Seahawks are the only teams with multiple home games among the top five best-selling games, so it makes sense to see them rank first and second among the top-selling teams overall.

The Bills come in at No. 3, largely driven by demand for their Week 2 home opener against the Lions at the new Highmark Stadium. Given the loyalty of Bills Mafia, Buffalo is likely to remain near the top of demand lists throughout the Josh Allen era.

Rounding out our list for top-selling teams is the Eagles at No. 4 and the Bears at No. 5. The Eagles don’t have any contests that rank in the top 5 since schedule release, but there’s no question that this fanbase is ready to roll as soon as the official games drop. 

The Eagles were the top-ranked team immediately after last year’s schedule release, one of three teams (Packers were third, Bears were fourth) to make the cut in both 2025 and 2026. 

Prime time is clearly playing a role too. Four of the five teams on our list are among the six teams with at least three prime-time home games this season. The lone exception is the Eagles, who “only” have two night games at Lincoln Financial Field this campaign. 

How to buy NFL tickets on SeatGeek

With the NFL schedule out, fans have been moving quickly. SeatGeek is part of NFL Ticket HQ, the league’s official ticketing ecosystem for authenticated NFL tickets, making it a smart place to start your NFL ticket search as soon as the schedule drops.

SeatGeek is also the Official Primary Ticketing Partner of the Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans, Washington Commanders and New Orleans Saints, making it a great place to shop for primary tickets from those teams, along with resale tickets for other NFL games.

Here’s how to buy NFL tickets on SeatGeek:

1. Search for your game

Start by searching for the NFL team you want to see, the specific matchup you’re targeting or the stadium you want to visit. SeatGeek brings all available tickets together for your search in one place.

2. Use the interactive seat map

Once you pick a game, SeatGeek’s interactive seat maps make it easy to compare available sections, prices and seat locations. You can zoom around the stadium, check different areas and find the seats that make the most sense for your budget and game-day plans.

3. Check Deal Score

SeatGeek’s Deal Score helps fans quickly identify the best values. Instead of only looking at price, Deal Score factors in both cost and seat location, making it easier to spot tickets that offer a strong overall deal.

4. Track prices and decide when to buy

For fans deciding whether to buy right away or keep an eye on the market, SeatGeek makes it easy to compare current listings and monitor prices.

5. Buy with confidence

SeatGeek’s Buyer Guarantee gives fans added peace of mind. Eligible orders are backed by a guarantee that tickets will be valid and delivered in time for the event. 

Whether you’re trying to get into one of the first games fans jumped on after the schedule release or planning ahead for a different matchup, SeatGeek gives you one place to shop, compare and buy NFL tickets with confidence.